The most popular attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)–related content on TikTok often does not match mental health professionals’ views, while potentially influencing how young adults perceive the disorder. In a University of British Columbia study published in PLOS One, an analysis of the 100 most-viewed TikTok videos related to ADHD revealed that fewer than half the claims regarding symptoms made in the videos align with clinical guidelines for diagnosing ADHD.

ADHD is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders diagnosed in childhood and often continues into adulthood. It is characterized by having difficulty paying attention, hyperactivity, and impulsive behavior. It is estimated to affect about 3% to 7% of adults worldwide.

In the videos, many TikTok creators shared personal experiences without indicating that they don’t necessarily apply to everyone with ADHD and might occur for people who don’t have the disorder. A lack of nuance and context in the powerful personal experiences and anecdotes may lead viewers to misinterpret symptoms or incorrectly diagnose themselves.

How TikTok influences perceptions

The study found that the more ADHD-related TikTok content a young adult consumes, the more likely they are to overestimate both the prevalence and severity of ADHD symptoms in the general population. Participants who watched more of this content were also more likely to recommend the videos, despite the unreliability of the information.

Two clinical psychologists evaluated the top 100 most-viewed TikTok videos under the hashtag #ADHD for accuracy, nuance, and overall quality for the study. Then 843 undergraduate students were surveyed about their TikTok habits and asked to rate 10 videos: the five highest-rated and five lowest-rated by the psychologists. The results showed a clear difference in how each group assessed the content:

• Clinical psychologists gave the more accurate ADHD videos an average rating of 3.6 out of 5, while young adults gave them 2.8.
• Psychologists rated the least reliable videos at 1.1 out of 5, while young adults rated them 2.3.

This suggests that misinformation may be slipping through unnoticed by most young people.

The need for professional engagement on social media

Clinical psychologists and other mental health professionals could play a more active role in TikTok discussions around ADHD by providing expert-backed content. This could help counter misinformation and ensure young people can access reliable resources.

A balanced approach to ADHD information

The study underscores the importance of seeking professional guidance when considering an ADHD diagnosis. While TikTok can be a valuable tool for community building, it should not replace evidence-based resources. The researchers advise young adults to:

• Crosscheck TikTok information with reputable sources such as medical websites, books, and health care professionals.
• See doctors, therapists, or university mental health services for guidance on ADHD and other concerns.
• Consider whether stress, anxiety, or cognitive overload could be contributing to difficulties before assuming you have ADHD.

Vasileia Karasavva is lead author of the study and a PhD student in clinical psychology at UBC.
Amori Mikami, PhD, is a professor of psychology at UBC and the study’s senior author.
Read the study in PLOS One: “A double-edged hashtag: Evaluation of #ADHD-related TikTok content and its associations with perceptions of ADHD.”

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